Virginia health officials investigate possible measles exposure at Reston sites

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) said a traveler from another state who tested positive for measles was in Reston on Aug. 16 and visited four businesses along Sunrise Valley Drive. The sites – a Sheraton hotel, a coffee shop, a 7-Eleven convenience store and a barber-spa – are being monitored as potential exposure locations. VDH did not disclose the visitor’s identity and will not release further details to protect privacy.

"Health officials are working to identify and notify people who may have been exposed," the department said in a press release.

The department noted that the individual was at the barber-spa between 4:30 and 5 p.m., but did not specify times for the other locations. VDH added that most Virginians are vaccinated against measles, so the overall risk is low.

People who were at any of the four sites on Aug. 16 are urged to confirm they have received two doses of the MMR vaccine, report their presence to VDH and watch for symptoms for up to 21 days. Symptoms typically begin with fever, runny nose, red eyes and cough, followed by a rash several days later.

Virginia has recorded 179 measles cases this year, including an outbreak in Buckingham and Cumberland counties that ended in August. Most cases involved unvaccinated individuals; nine people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.